On the eve of Labour/May Day I am reminded
that it is a day to commemorate the role of labour in nation building.
Over the past few years our labour of love with the branch has indeed brought
about a new spirit and reckoning. It is this “quality“ I was referring
to when I embark on a personal mission to see to it that our branch achieve
a certain level of recognition not only among the members but among other
branches and NGOs as well. The letters of invitation to speak to certain
groups and NGOs and to attend workshops, seminars and stake-holders discussion
groups speak volumes on our increasing role and involvement in society.
This certainly augurs well for the future and our fast dwindling natural
resources, namely our forests which are constantly facing the onslaught
of development and get-rich-quick logging schemes.
With this mind I wrote to our ED to
put in the agenda for our last meeting a discussion on the role the Perak
Branch would have to play in the future in view of the ongoing activities
of PITC, the first timber company in Peninsular Malaysia to carry out “sustainable
logging” which I have earlier reported in my l;ast message. The ED.briefed
the meeting on the present status and it was agreed that MNS official involvement
remains advisory and that MNS will continue to advise and be an observer.
It was felt that the Perak branch’s good initiative could continue with
baseline data gathering if there were no obligations to PITC or sharing
of data with PITC at this stage. Information gathered would be shared with
HQ upon request. I took the opportunity to seek funding for an expedition
into this area and the Science & Conservation Committee was requested
to advice on this request. It was also clarified that the FRIM project
is an independent exercise and will not affect PITC’s bid for timber certification.
I also requested HQ to ascertain the Perak State’s plans for the totality
of Belum and Temenggor (a masterplan for the proposed Belum State Park,
etc). Prof. Latiff will attempt to meet with the Mentri Besar and will
advise soon on this.
As the national AGM is not too far away
Council deliberated on this and was of the opinion that the AGM should
be held on 8-9 September 2001 with tours starting on 6th September and
ending 12th September to coincide with the school holidays. Council requested
that the following be looked into:
a) availability of chartered flight to and from Kuching
b) tour packages take flight availability into account
c) a general survey to be held to get an estimate of interested members
on the internet if possible
d) all branches give feedback via e-mail by next Council and
e) Kuching branch to brief Council at next meeting
On a sad note it was reported that down south certain areas in the
Endau-Rompin NERC has been damaged and has led to murky waters of the Sg.
Endau and Jasin. Dato’ Salleh has written to Johor Park Director to highlight
this issue. This shows what damage can be caused by overzealous officials
who do not ask for opinions when they make simple decisions in a fragile
ecosystem. Hopefully the damage can be contained.
Cheaw Hon Ming
01 May 2001